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Roger W. Hadley, II

Woodburn, IN | Distinguished Ag Alumni: 2008

From the time Roger Hadley put in his
first hours farming as a youngster, he
knew that was the life he wanted.
Working alongside his father, a part-time
farmer, he discovered nature’s wonders
and the benefits of sticking with it.
“I learned the joy of being in charge of
what you’re doing and that things aren’t
always easy,” he says. “I like being able
to put seed in the ground, see it develop
into young plants, then a crop, and
getting enough revenue to pay for the
expenses with some left to go again the
next year.”
By the time he graduated from Purdue
in 1975, he had already purchased a
tractor, plow, other equipment, and his
first 92 acres.
To supplement his startup operation,
he worked until 1987 as manager and
research manager at Maumee Valley
Seeds in Allen County. In 1988, he made
corn, soybeans, and beef production his
full-time career.
Today, he owns 240 acres and leases
another 560, relying only on seasonal
help from family. “I’m not afraid of work,
and I’m not afraid of risk,” he says. “I was
determined, and I’ve done it with a lot of
ambition, grit, and help from up above.”
Throughout, Hadley has been a servant
and leader in agriculture, education, and
his community. He’s held board,
advisory, and officer posts for state and
national organizations and Purdue
University, volunteered as an FFA judge,
and annually hosted farm tours for as
many as 1,500 students, teachers, and
parents.
Since college, he’s also been an
American Red Cross blood donor, giving
more than 200 times over the years. For
pleasure, he enjoys Boilermaker sports
and fishing for blue gill, crappie, and bass.
“Learn all you can, have a goal and work toward it,
knowing that your path to reach it may change.
When you’ve got more energy and time
than money, put in a lot of effort.”